S2E2 - From Friendship to Growth: Our Journey Together

Season 2 Episode 8 - Different Brains at Work: Communication, Advocacy & Inclusive Leadership

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2403807/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel!, Shai and Alexis unpack Neurodiversity at work, workplace communication, self-advocacy, and inclusive leadership.  From communication mismatches to accommodations to allyship, they share practical ways leaders can better support Neurodivergent employees and create workplaces where different brains can thrive.  Because sometimes the issue is not performance. Sometimes the instructions were clear as mud. 🐿️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Opening and setting up the workplace conversation 06:17 — Corporate jargon, acronyms, and learning the language of business 17:46 — Dyscalculia and navigating number-heavy workplace expectations 26:24 — How Neurodivergent communication gets misread at work 30:57 — Communication mismatch or performance problem? 40:24 — Practical leadership tools: agendas, clarity, and communication preferences 47:04 — Self-advocacy, PDA, ADHD, and asking for what you need 53:53 — ADA accommodations, credibility, and workplace allyship 60:49 — Why Neuroinclusion benefits workplace culture and business results 63:58 — Closing thoughts  ACRONYMS AND TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE Accruals Accounting entries that recognize income when it is earned and expenses when they are incurred, rather than only when money is received or paid. ADA — Americans with Disabilities Act A United States civil-rights law that protects qualified people with disabilities from discrimination. In employment, a reasonable accommodation may involve changing a job process, work environment, or customary practice so a qualified employee can perform essential functions and access equal employment opportunities. ADHD — Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent differences in attention regulation, activity level, impulse control, organization, or executive functioning. Traits begin in childhood and can continue into adulthood. AP — Accounts Payable Money the organization owes to vendors, contractors, or suppliers. AR — Accounts Receivable Money customers or clients owe the organization for products or services already provided. AuDHD An informal community term describing the experience of being both Autistic and ADHD. It is not a separate clinical diagnosis. AVP — Associate Vice President A corporate leadership title. Its level, responsibilities, and authority can vary significantly between companies and industries. Dyscalculia A learning difference that can make it difficult to understand number concepts, perform calculations, estimate quantities, or work comfortably with numerical information. It does not reflect a person’s intelligence or overall capability. PDA — Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy A term used for a pattern in which demands or perceived loss of autonomy may trigger strong avoidance or distress. It is commonly discussed as a profile associated with autism, although it is not a separate formal diagnosis in the DSM-5. RFP — Request for Proposal A formal request inviting vendors or service providers to submit a proposed solution, scope, timeline, and price for a project. RESOURCES Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] * Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] * Clinicians of Color [https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/] Neurodivergent Resources * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) [https://add.org/] * Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) [https://aane.org/] * The Color of Autism Foundation [https://thecolorofautism.org/] *  Understood [https://www.understood.org/] * Job Accommodation Network (JAN) [https://askjan.org/] CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel]  IG: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.instagram.com/bgbgsquirrel/] Threads: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.threads.com/@bgbgsquirrel] Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com [BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com]

Season 2 Episode 7 - Running a Business With ADHD and Chronic Illness (Part 1)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2403807/fan_mail/new] What does it really look like to run a business with ADHD and chronic illness? In this episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel!, Shai shares the real behind-the-scenes of Neurodivergent entrepreneurship, including executive dysfunction, impulsive spending, procrastination, chronic pain, burnout, energy management, and learning to build systems that work with her brain. We also talk about the strengths ADHD can bring to business, from creativity and big-picture thinking to pattern recognition, empathy, and innovation. Plus, Shai shares practical lessons around flexibility, finances, self-advocacy, boundaries, and using AI to reduce mental load. This episode is for Neurodivergent entrepreneurs, women of color in business, adults with ADHD, people living with chronic illness, and anyone learning to build success on their own terms. 🐿️ TIME STAMPS 00:20 Life Updates, Caregiving, and Finding Peace 01:52 Mom’s Moyamoya Diagnosis and Recovery 04:03 Family History, Strokes, and Community Support 11:28 Shai’s Career and What She Actually Does 17:55 Communication, Leadership, and Neurodivergence 22:21 Bringing Lived Experience Into the Workplace 27:57 Why Shai Became an Entrepreneur 33:50 Running a Business With ADHD 35:48 Impulsive Spending, Finances, and Hard Lessons 37:56 When a Working Relationship Had to End 42:57 Managing ADHD, Energy, and Burnout 49:59 Challenging Myths About Disabled Entrepreneurs 51:46 Advice for Neurodivergent and Chronically Ill Founders 56:21 Using AI to Organize Ideas and Reduce Mental Load 1:00:13 Final Thoughts and Closing RESOURCES Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] * Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] * Clinicians of Color [https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/] Neurodivergent Resources * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) [https://add.org/] * Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) [https://aane.org/] * The Color of Autism Foundation [https://thecolorofautism.org/] *  Understood [https://www.understood.org/] * Job Accommodation Network (JAN) [https://askjan.org/] CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel]  IG: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.instagram.com/bgbgsquirrel/] Threads: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.threads.com/@bgbgsquirrel] Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com [BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com]

S2E6 - ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Self-Acceptance: Learning to Be Okay With the Extras

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2403807/fan_mail/new] Trigger warning: This episode includes brief mentions of self-harm. Please protect your mental health and check the show notes for resources. In part two of our conversation with our show bestie Jazz, we continue talking about ADHD, bipolar disorder type 2, depression, medication, therapy, self-advocacy, and learning to be okay with “the extras” that can come with diagnosis. Jazz shares what mania and depressive episodes can feel like, how medication helped her understand what “level” feels like, and how ADHD impacts her day-to-day life through routines, systems, dopamine hits, dysregulation, and the ADHD tax. This episode is real, honest, funny, tender, and deeply BGBGS. 🐿️ RESOURCES Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] * Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] * Clinicians of Color [https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/] Neurodivergent Resources * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) [https://add.org/] * Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) [https://aane.org/] * The Color of Autism Foundation [https://thecolorofautism.org/] *  Understood [https://www.understood.org/] * Job Accommodation Network (JAN) [https://askjan.org/] CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel]  IG: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.instagram.com/bgbgsquirrel/] Threads: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.threads.com/@bgbgsquirrel] Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com [BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com]

S2E5 - ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Comorbidities: Real Talk on Diagnosis, Therapy, & Self-Advocacy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2403807/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel!, we welcome our show bestie Jazz for part one of a real and hilarious conversation about ADHD, bipolar disorder type 2, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, therapy, diagnosis, and the comorbidities that can come with neurodivergence. Jazz shares her perspective as both a certified pediatric nurse and certified neuroscience nurse, while also opening up about her own mental health journey, the long process of ADHD testing, finding the right therapist, and learning how to advocate for herself in healthcare. We talk about therapy, medical self-advocacy, women’s pain, misdiagnosis, neurodivergent women of color, and what it means when ADHD “brings friends.” And yes, there are squirrel moments, laughter, drinks, and accidental energy drink chaos along the way. 🐿️ RESOURCES Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] * Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] * Clinicians of Color [https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/] Neurodivergent Resources * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) [https://add.org/] * Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) [https://aane.org/] * The Color of Autism Foundation [https://thecolorofautism.org/] *  Understood [https://www.understood.org/] * Job Accommodation Network (JAN) [https://askjan.org/] CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel]  IG: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.instagram.com/bgbgsquirrel/] Threads: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.threads.com/@bgbgsquirrel] Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com [BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com]

S2E4 - When ADHD Big Ideas Meet Autistic Structure: Our Podcast Partnership

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2403807/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel!, we talk about what it’s like to build a podcast together as Neurodivergent women of color with different brains. From ADHD creativity and big-picture thinking to autistic clarity, direct communication, and systems, we explore how our friendship, communication, and collaboration make the show work. We also get honest about the challenges, the funny moments, and the care it takes to protect the friendship while building something meaningful together. 🐿️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:21 Friendship Dynamics and Neurodiversity 05:00 Creative Collaboration and Idea Generation 07:11 Social Media and Digital Boundaries 10:10 Humor and Cultural References 18:52 Communication Styles and Conversation Flow 25:21 Expectations and Responsibilities in Collaboration 33:23 Navigating Friendship and Professionalism 42:30 Respect and Care in Collaborative Ventures RESOURCES ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/ [https://www.additudemag.com/] Therapist and Mental Health Resources * Psychology Today Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us] * National Institute of Mental Health Website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/] CONNECT WITH US Join our fan page at Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel] and share your thoughts on this episode, ask questions, or share your story.  IG: @BGBGSquirrel Threads: @BGBGSquirrel Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com RESOURCES Mental Health Resources * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] * Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] * Clinicians of Color [https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/] Neurodivergent Resources * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) [https://add.org/] * Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) [https://aane.org/] * The Color of Autism Foundation [https://thecolorofautism.org/] *  Understood [https://www.understood.org/] * Job Accommodation Network (JAN) [https://askjan.org/] CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel [https://fanlist.com/bgbgsquirrel]  IG: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.instagram.com/bgbgsquirrel/] Threads: @BGBGSquirrel [https://www.threads.com/@bgbgsquirrel] Email: BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com [BGBGSquirrel@Gmail.com]